Michigan’s 2026-27 nonconference slate is loaded from top to bottom, and the defending NCAA champions won’t spend much time easing into the season.
The Wolverines announced the schedule Friday, Sept. 4, and the 13-game run brings three exhibitions, three games in NBA arenas and a steady dose of heavyweight opponents in the first year under new coach Mike Boynton Jr.
The preseason starts at home, where Michigan will host Eastern Michigan on Oct. 11 and Oregon State on Oct. 16.
Oregon State comes in with former U-M assistant Justin Joyner on its staff. The exhibition slate finishes with a trip to Grand Rapids, where the Wolverines will face Houston at Van Andel Arena on Oct.
Michigan’s regular season opens the same way it did last year, with Oakland visiting Ann Arbor on Nov. 2.
Just four days later, the spotlight turns to Boston for an NCAA Tournament championship game rematch against UConn on Nov. 6.
The schedule keeps rolling with another major test at home against Marquette on Nov. 11, followed by William & Mary on Nov. 15.
Then comes a technically neutral-site matchup with Villanova in Philadelphia at the home of the NBA’s 76ers on Nov. 21.
After that, Michigan heads west to defend its Players Era Championship title in Las Vegas. The Wolverines open the tournament against Creighton on Nov. 24, then play either Miami or TCU on Nov.
- The next day brings a third tournament game against Alabama, Baylor, Gonzaga or Kansas State.
If Michigan goes 3-0, it will play in the title game on Nov. 28.
If not, the Wolverines return home to face Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 1.
Another marquee nonconference date follows quickly, with Louisville coming to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Dec. 5.
Michigan then works in two Big Ten games over the next two weeks, with the opponents still to be announced, before finishing its nonconference schedule against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 21 and Toledo on Dec. 30.
2026-27 Michigan basketball nonconference schedule
Exhibitions
Oct. 11: Eastern Michigan.
Oct. 16: Oregon State.
Oct. 25: Houston (in Grand Rapids).
Regular season
Nov. 3: Oakland.
Nov. 6: UConn (TD Garden, Boston).
Nov. 11: Marquette.
Nov. 15: William & Mary.
Nov. 21: at Villanova (Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia).
Nov. 24: Creighton (Players Era Tournament, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas).
Nov. 26: Miami/TCU (Players Era Tournament, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas).
Nov. 27: Gonzaga/Kansas State/Baylor/Alabama (Players Era Tournament, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas).
Nov. 28 or Dec. 1: Players Era Tourney Championship OR Mississippi Valley State.
Dec. 8:
Dec. 21: Detroit Mercy.
Dec. 30: Toledo.
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